antennas?

[chrismlay]

So I am looking for info on how to make extremely high range antennas(satillite type?) for internet signals. as well as radio signals like for ham radio and such, i am up for the cheap way like making them out of coffe cans and what ever but im looking also for some nicer looking ways too, also the type of materials used to conduct and transmit the signals for different kinsd of things? thanks a lot